Cecilia Ortega
Lawndale
Summary
Experienced with operational oversight, including process improvement and team leadership. Utilized strategic planning to streamline operations and boost productivity. Track record of fostering team collaboration and maintaining high standards of performance.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Supervisor
Best Services International Freight USA INC
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Supervised a team of 5 operations staff, ensuring efficient and smooth daily operations
- Implemented new scheduling system that optimized staffing levels and reduced labor costs
- Developed and implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve operational efficiency
- Coordinated the importation of goods from international suppliers, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with customs regulations
- Managed all aspects of the import process, including documentation, shipping logistics, and communication with vendors
- Collaborated with internal teams to determine inventory needs and forecast demand for imported products
- Negotiated favorable terms and pricing with overseas suppliers, resulting in cost savings
- Implemented a new tracking system to monitor shipment progress and provide real-time updates to stakeholders
- Developed strong relationships with international vendors to facilitate smooth communication and resolve any supply chain issues
- Worked closely with customs brokers to ensure proper classification and valuation of imported goods
- Provided guidance on trade compliance regulations to internal teams involved in importing activities
- Prepared reports on import volumes, costs, lead times, and supplier performance for management review
- Assisted in the development of strategic sourcing initiatives aimed at optimizing costs while maintaining quality standards
- Collaborated with finance department on payment processing for imported goods, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Conducted regular audits of import processes to identify areas for improvement and implement efficiency measures
- Resolved any issues or delays related to imports by coordinating with freight forwarders and resolving customs clearance problems
- Managed end-to-end logistics operations, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory management
- Developed and implemented efficient logistics strategies to optimize supply chain processes
- Reduced transportation costs by 50% through negotiation of favorable contracts with carriers
- Negotiated contracts with third-party logistics providers to expand service capabilities and reduce costs
- Implemented lean principles such as just-in-time inventory management to reduce waste and improve efficiency
- Increased productivity by developing training programs for warehouse staff on proper handling techniques
- Managed international shipping operations ensuring compliance with customs regulations
- Collaborated with sales team to develop effective distribution strategies for new product launches
- Handled Air and Ocean shipments
- Helped accounting reconciliate funds pending from 2021
- Structured the company into a simple process for operations team
- Helped COO with ensuring all TSA regulations were met in order to get the company TSA certified
- Brought new vendors to increase profit and reduce cost and have great customer service
- Signed the company up with all terminals / airlines and payment platforms
- Ensured Billing Closing dates were met
- Did write-offs for accounting when we received checks
- Quoted for customers/ our sales team
Drayage Specialist
De Well Container Shipping Inc.
03.2024 - 10.2024
- Collaborated with freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers to arrange transportation and handle necessary documentation for import shipments
- Maintained accurate shipment records, including tracking information, customs documents, and invoices
- Managed communication with overseas suppliers to resolve any issues related to shipment delays or discrepancies
- Implemented cost-saving strategies by optimizing container utilization and negotiating favorable rates with carriers
- Monitored cargo movement from origin to destination, proactively identifying potential delays or disruptions in transit
- Provided exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries from clients regarding shipment status or documentation requirements
- Implemented a tracking system for import shipments, providing real-time visibility to clients and reducing customer inquiries by XX%
- Demonstrated expertise in handling specialized cargo such as perishable goods, hazardous materials, oversized shipments, etc
- Closely monitored carrier performance metrics such as transit times, reliability rates, claims ratio etc., ensuring adherence to service level agreements (SLAs)
Ocean Import Specialist
Norman Krieger Inc
07.2022 - 03.2024
- Quote customers & provide rates
- Bookings
- Confirm booking with customers
- Ensure we have a great profit margin
- Send ISF to either in house broker or outside broker to file
- Have HKG office open file in cargowise
- If our inside broker ensure pre-alerts are entered and turnover to our brokerage department by accounts
- Arrival notice turnovers
- Check terms on shipments
- Handle all doc turnovers
- Ensure COD customers are paying shipments prior to arrival notice
- Outsource different drayage rates to get the best profit
- Delivery and update customers accordingly
- Ensure we bill prior to end of month
- Inside Sales
- Coordinated and managed the end-to-end ocean import process, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of goods
- Collaborated with freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers to arrange transportation and handle necessary documentation for import shipments
- Billed shipments after all process was done
- Look for carriers depending on delivery
- Provide last mile service options to customers last minute
- Handle DG shipments, special shipments, OW cargo
- Cargo wise expertise
Key Account Manager
Mapcargo Global Logistics
03.2021 - 07.2022
- Managed key account for Aldo with responsibility for ground handling reporting
- Cultivated client loyalty through consistent updates and meeting deadlines
- Securing ISF generated emails were up to date so no fines would incur
- Keeping constant communication with the team in Netherlands to assure pre-alerts were sent in a timely matter
- Sending arrival notice to the correct parties
- Paying steamship lines charges as well as billing customer at the time of processing wires due to cash flow purposes
- Sending delivery orders in a timely matter along with claiming tmf and ctf for shipments
- Finding different drayage partners to meet delivery expectations along with great cost
- Quoting customers
- Doc turnovers
- Invoicing customers
- Cross training the team to adjust to different accounts with different terms
- Ensure daily reports are sent
- Ensure KPI was met
Ocean Import Coordinator
Traffic Tech Inc.
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Ocean operations from A-Z
- AMS/ISF Filings
- Issued Arrival Notices
- Issued Delivery Orders
- Customer Email follow ups
- Diversions
- Dealt with a high volume of COD customers
- Billing
- Outsourced International Vendors
- Cargo Wise Expert
- Handled FCL/LCL In-land Rail Shipments
- Canadian Shipments
- High Volume Key Accounts
- High Volume Calls/ Emails
Customer Service Agent
Mercury Air Cargo
04.2016 - 03.2017
- Negotiated and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies
- Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of the arrival of freight or baggage, and arrange for delivery
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
- Prepare manifests showing baggage, mail, and freight weights, and number of passengers on airplanes, and transmit data to destinations
- Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents
- Check import/export documentation to determine cargo contents, and classify goods into different fee or tariff groups, using a tariff coding system
- Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary
- Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers
Education
High School Diploma -
Leuzinger High School
Lawndale, CA06.2013
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Project management
- Logistics
- Process improvement
- Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Bilingual
- Computer skills
- Compliance management
- Microsoft Excel
- Warehouse management system
- Analysis skills
- Operations management
- Team management
- Management
- Computer literacy
- Shipping & Receiving
- Freight Experience
- Freight
- Warehouse experience
- ERP systems
- EDI
- Customer service
- Supply chain management
- Pricing
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Sales
- Inventory management
- Conflict management
- Microsoft Word
- Negotiation
- Supply chain
- Transportation management systems
- Communication skills
- Account management
- Microsoft Access
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Shipping & receiving
- Microsoft and Excel Proficiency
- Inbound Movements Specialist
- Performance monitoring
- Task delegation
- Team Training
- Employee development
- Warehouse operations
- Logistics oversight
- Inventory coordination
- Workflow optimization
Certification
Cargowise Certified
DG/Haz Certified
Personal Information
- Willing To Relocate: Anywhere
- Authorized To Work: US for any employer
Timeline
Operations Supervisor
Best Services International Freight USA INC
10.2024 - 03.2025
Drayage Specialist
De Well Container Shipping Inc.
03.2024 - 10.2024
Ocean Import Specialist
Norman Krieger Inc
07.2022 - 03.2024
Key Account Manager
Mapcargo Global Logistics
03.2021 - 07.2022
Ocean Import Coordinator
Traffic Tech Inc.
09.2019 - 03.2021
Customer Service Agent
Mercury Air Cargo
04.2016 - 03.2017
High School Diploma -
Leuzinger High School
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